AIFS Study Abroad

AIFS is a leading provider of study abroad programs. Since 1964, more than 1.5 million students have traveled abroad with AIFS. Comprehensive program fees make it convenient for students to study abroad and experience all that the world has to offer.

With over half a century in the industry, AIFS has the resources and experience to provide what students want and need in a study abroad program combined with the institutional strength to safeguard their welfare around the globe. Unlike many other study abroad programs or independent study options, AIFS program fees are guaranteed in U.S. dollars.

AIFS offers a wide range of unique programs in Asia, Australia, Europe, South Africa and the Americas. AIFS campuses typically offer courses in English and/or in foreign languages from beginner to advanced levels, so you don’t even need to know a foreign language to have the opportunity to study abroad.

Reviews

There is next to nothing that I would change about my semester in Prague with AIFS. Prague is a beautiful city with convenient public transportation that can get you within a ten minute walk of anything, a rich history, cheap travel options, and an interesting culture. AIFS finds the perfect balance between coddling you and not giving enough support; when you first arrive, you will have a couple of weeks of orientation where you learn the basics of Czech language and culture, tour important parts of the city, and view other significant sites in the Czech Republic. Throughout the semester, you can visit the AIFS office in the center of the city for help planning travel, ideas for what to do around town, or any personal issues that might come up. Additionally, they plan weekly cultural events for students like café outings, tickets to the opera, or sporting events that help you immerse yourself in the culture.
The classes are easy to get to and mostly occur in the historic Charles University building, and while you don't get to take classes alongside Czech students, there may be other European students who are enrolled in your classes through the ERASMUS program.
Overall, I felt that I had access to all of the resources necessary to have the best possible experience in Prague. I learned so much about Czech culture and about myself.

AIFS was one of the best fit programs for me. I appreciated the fact that they were all inclusive and I had a lot of worry taken off of my shoulders since I did not have to book my flight or find housing. The professors at Polytechnic University in St. Petersburg were very encouraging. I did however only have experience with two professors and my classes were mainly with other Americans. This made sense because Russians aren’t usually taking Russian History and Russian Language classes. I hope that the Russian language professors continue to be there for years to come. My professor was very encouraging and even told us on the first day of class that we would be speaking Russian better than her after only a semester of study. Although, I knew this was not true, it started me off on a positive foot with such a difficult language. The option to stay with a host family was definitely a perk that made the program more appealing. I chose to stay with a host family. I was the only student that got the experience to stay with a host family that had children. I look back on that experience as something that made my stay all the more unique. I now have a much better representation of Russian everyday life. I am very thankful for the in country program advisers that were always there to support my stay in St. Petersburg.

Studying abroad in Perth, Australia for a semester was truly a trip of a lifetime! I did everything from taking a surf lesson, exploring the city, and taking a 10 day outback trip. AIFS was completely there along the way, from pre-departure to when it came time to leave. We had an onsite AIFS representative, who took us on a few outings, gave us advice, and helped us with adjusting to a new culture. With AIFS I was even able to participate in a week long Pacific Studies course taught in Fiji, prior to Australia.
Perth and the surrounding areas had a great public transportation system, which we all used to get around to the beaches, grocery stores, etc. It had a great nightlife and plenty to do during the day, as well. Murdoch University also had some great things for international students, such as some optional excursions which included the outback trip, a trip to Rottnest Island, and a local animal conservatory. Overall, I am so thankful I went through AIFS. I made so many memories and never felt alone along the way.

It is without a doubt that almost everyone’s favorite part of studying abroad is traveling to different countries. As a matter of fact, I spent most of my study abroad experience doing activities in Barcelona that were provided by my program. However, I have myself planned and travelled on two weekend trips around Europe, but only on weekends when I really didn’t have any big papers to write or exams to study for, especially when I had long weekends with four to five days off. Believe it or not, if you follow these simple planning guidelines, your weekend trips will not only be hassle-free, but much more enjoyable as well. Here are my five need-to-know tips for planning weekend travel.
• Travel with a group: Traveling with friends is not only safer, but also much more fun. I travelled to Prague and Budapest on my own and while I never felt like I was in danger because I was exploring with different groups. When I was in my Prague, I travelled with Bus2alps, when I was in Budapest, I travelled with Weekend Student Adventures. I stood in a 6 to 8 person room hostel with other study abroad students. Having multiple heads working together will make planning and getting around much easier, and if nothing else, it’s always better to have some company.
• Creating a Budget: Actually, you’ll want to plan 2; one for your flight and hostel you book ahead of time, and one for the amount you’re going to spend when you’re actually traveling. Good hostels can be as cheap as 15 or 20 Euro a night depending on the time of year, and flights as low as 50 to 80 Euro round-trip. If I was going to be in a city for say 3 days and 2 nights, I usually took out the equivalent of $200 to $250 in local currency. Remember, the earlier you do your booking, the cheaper your travel will be. Check currency exchange rates before you leave! In some places like the Czech Republic, the rate is something like $1 to 20 Czech Koruna, so don’t be surprised when you take out 5000 CZK from the ATM.
• Bring a copy of your visa and passport with you: I had my passport in my pouch at all times because I figured it was safer that way, although some people will disagree with that. If you’re following my lead, keep a copy of your visa and passport in your hostel locker, and on the off chance your passport does get stolen, having this will make your trip to the U.S. consulate to get a replacement go a lot smoother.
• Investigate public transportation in your destination city: Few days before my weekend adventure begun, I have spent some time reading transportation maps about the city I am going to. This is something I personally advise all travellers to do before their trips begin, because this will help them avoid getting lost, spending money constantly, and make their trip a hundred times more safer. Note on Taxis: In mainland Europe, taxi drivers are occasionally known to charge you a ridiculous rate when you come to your stop. Negotiate either a price/mile rate or an overall rate right when you get in the cab, and stick to it. If the cabbie tries to mess with you, threaten to get the police and more than likely they’ll back down as they don’t have the time to get involved with the cops.

EXCURSIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR PROGRAM

Many cultural activities and travel excursions are included in AIFS Study Abroad programs. In addition, you’ll find great options available to supplement your experience in meaningful, sometimes life-changing, ways. No matter what country you choose to study in, the AIFS programs provide optional excursions during specific weekends. They are there to make your study abroad experiences fun, enjoyable, and memorable.

Seville & Granada AIFS Excursion

Now that I have been enrolled in my courses and have a sense of what my work-load is throughout the semester, I start to travel with my group on the first optional excursion to Andalucia. On Friday morning, I take a one-hour flight from Barcelona to Seville. Seville is famous for its architecture. Seville’s architecture is a mixture of the old and the new, the ancient and the modern. Phoenicians, romans, visigoths, arabs have lived in this city and therefore have left a trace in buildings, urban planning and culture. After spending one night in Seville I take a three-hour bus ride to Granada, another city in Andalucia that is a little more hilly. Granada is very famous for its beautiful gardens, city views, and historical palaces. Here are two wonderful places to go to during your time in Andalucia. One is in Seville and the other is in Granada.

(Granada) Alhambra:
The Alhambra is probably one of the most breathtaking places you'll ever visit, but be sure to have good walking shoes because it'll take a good 2 to 3 hours to see the whole thing. Even though, different palaces that are part of the Alhambra were used less and less and fell into disrepair for hundreds of years. Squatters moved in. A lot of the original artwork was lost. Parts were destroyed in the 1800s during battles with the French and a strong earthquake. It's possible that the entire complex could have been forgotten about altogether if it hadn't been “rediscovered” by European scholars in the 1820s. Since then, its been reclaimed and is still undergoing restoration. I personally love the Alhambra as a palace of fascinating architecture. Spending time up in Alhambra felt like being up in heaven, smelling flowers, and seeing so many people make it for an eternal loving life.

(Seville) Plaza de Espana:
My favorite place in Seville is Plaza de Espana. The massive building is Seville's most impressive after the cathedral, for its sheer scale and grandeur. Love it or hate it - fabulous or fussy, magnificent or overblown, depending on your point of view – I would advise you not miss it when visiting the city. Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 (Expo 29), along with many of the pavilions you can see in and around the Parque Maria Luisa. I think Plaza de Espana is one of the biggest and most famous landmarks in the capital of Andalucia. Here is a fun fact. Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones was filmed at the plaza. If any of you are huge Star Wars fanatics, this is definitely the place to go if you want to feel like you are in planet Naboo with Senator Amidala.

Morocco AIFS Excursion

Because AIFS is one of the best study abroad programs in the world, I have signed up for an excursion travelling to a new continent and a new country, which was in fact, number 30 on my Travel Record Books. I went on the excursion that I had been looking forward to the most: Morocco. Considering the fact that my Dad is from an Islamic country, I was so excited to visit a Muslim country, and finally experience a different country with cultural similarities. During my three days in Morocco, I have tried different food, walked around different towns, and went camal riding. I loved Morocco. I loved my time there. I loved the places I wandered through and the people who proved that Moroccans are kind, welcoming and helpful. However, I was super frustrated that I ran into local men I met were being childish because I was ignoring them. I am referring to men who were selling Moroccan souvenirs on the streets. Here is some personal and helpful advice for people who plan to go to Morocco. This is advice when it comes to running into strangers who ask for money or try to force you to buy supplies. There’s not really much you can do to avoid attention (I have met women travelling with men who were drained from the abuse directed at them) but there are steps you can take to minimise it. Look as if you know where you’re going when you’re out exploring. If you look frightened and disorientated you’ll also look like an easy target. When local men approach you keep your head held high, avoid eye contact and stride purposefully away. If they persist, ask them firmly to leave you alone. Some of you may ask me, how were you able to prevent yourself from being involved in bad incidents? I remained with my group and made sure I was staying with the people in my group. I disregarded any word that was spat out by any childish stranger trying to get my attention. Other than getting myself out of the dangerous situations, I am very happy to say that Morocco is a country where people can explore the religion of Islam.

I don't think I could have chosen a more perfect study abroad program! As an Art History major, getting to view and discuss some of the most iconic works of Western art and architecture in person is an experience that cannot be replaced by textbook images or projected pictures. Every day was jam packed with excursions, tours, and lectures that were both informative and entertaining. Despite being a traveling program, I definitely felt like my study abroad experience gave me plenty of opportunities to embrace and explore different cultures and ways of life within each location. The support of my AIFS tour manager and professor were also phenomenal, and I could not consider my first time traveling outside of the U.S to be success a success without the unparalleled support of the AIFS staff both at home and abroad.